Last week was a big week for the JV Lady Dillos as we won 4 of our 6 games for the week. On Tuesday, we took on Goldthwaite, and then on Thursday-Saturday, we played in the Mason Tournanemnt. All the games were great for us and help us build on the year even more.

On Tuesday, Goldthwaite came over here to play us. I knew it would be a tough game for us because we had scrimmaged Goldthwaite at the beginning of the season, and they are pretty good. We didn’t exactly jump out like we had intended on and found ourselves behind in the first quarter 14-8. We continued to struggle in the second quarter and found ourselves behind at halftime 20-10.

When we came back out in the third quarter, I knew we had to get some defensive stops in order to get back in the game. Well we sure did that, because they didn’t score any points that quarter, but the bad part is, neither did we. At the end of the third quarter, the score remained 20-10. The fourth quarter we came out a ball of fire. We scored 18 points that quarter. I was beginning to wonder where we had been the whole game and why we decided to play in the last quarter. We fought and fought, but ended up falling short at the very end and lost by 3. (28-31)

The girls fought hard and got some great defensive stops at the end, but we just dug ourselves a hole in the beginning that always kills us. Nickie Ortiz had a big night with 12 points. Following her was Candace Saldivar with 9 points, Joely Haverland with 5 points, and Jacey Martinez with 2 points.

On Thursday, we traveled to Mason for our first game of the tournament and faced Junction JV. We came out ready to play and ended up winning big, 31-3. I don’t have all the point totals for the girls because I did not have someone to keep the books for me so I apologize. There were a couple games that were like this, due to the varsity playing in the other gym or not even there yet. I do know, that every girl scored in this game, which was huge!

Thursday night we took on Llano, since we won Thursday afternoon. We had already had a long day by this point so I was hoping the girls would be ready to play. We had already played Llano once this year and barely beat them. When the game started, we looked as if we were ready to play and the girls were playing hard. At the end of the first it was 9-4. We started to get into foul trouble by this point also. Mikayla Cisneroz had to sit on the bench for most of the first half due to 3 fouls in the first quarter. Then, the other girls seemed to follow in her footsteps and get into foul trouble too. At half time, we went in the locker room up 16-12.

The second half is where things started to get interesting for us. We were up 18-17 at the end of the third but had 4 girls with 3 or 4 fouls. When I have only 7 girls playing, it tends to get a little interesting because I start wondering if we’re only going to have 3 playing at the end of the game. By the time we got around to the fourth quarter, I had 4 girls who had 4 fouls. I’m sure you can imagine what was going through my head at that point. We had great opportunities to put the game away, but missed way too many free throws, and it ended up costing us the game. We lost 30-26. Mikayla Cisneroz led all scoring with 6 points. Also scoring was Nickie Ortiz and Kayla Kutin with 5 a piece, Candace Saldivar with 4 points, Joely Haverland with 3 points, and Jacey Martinez with 1 point.

Since we lost on Thursday night it sent us to the consolation bracket, and we were back at it early Friday morning as we took on Menard. Once again, I did not have anyone keeping books for me, so I don’t have point spreads but we ended up beating them 19-13. It was a rough game for us, but I knew the girls were exhausted from the night before, but a win is a win.

Friday evening we took on Eldorado. We ended up jumping on them in the first half and came away with a win of 27-11. Scorers for the game were: Nickie Ortiz with 8 points, Candace Saldivar with 7 points, Mikayla Cisneroz with 5 points, Mikayla Eden, Jacey Martinez, and Joely Haverland with 2 points, and Kayla Kutin chipped in 1 point.

On Saturday afternoon, we finally got the chance to play for consolation. We ended up playing Ozona and I had watched them play a couple days before and they’re a pretty scrappy team. I thought it would be a good game for us, but knew it would be tough. I have never been so proud of the girls as I was on Saturday. We had already played 4 games in 2 days, had early mornings and late nights, spent all day in the gym, and still had one more game left. They came out ready to play and battled the entire game and we came out on top 31-14. Mikayla Cisneroz led all scoring with 10 points. Following right behind here was Jacey Martinez (who had a huge game and I was super proud of) with 9 points, Kayla Kutin with 5 points, Nickie Ortiz with 4 points, and Candace Saldivar with 3 points.

I just have some final thoughts on the weekend that I would like to share. I am so proud of these girls and how far they have come this year. Mikayla Cisneroz is doing an awesome job on both ends for us, but what she has improved on so much is on the offensive end. Candace Saldivar has stepped up and gotten some big steals on the defensive end, which has led to some easy layups for us. (If we could just make them lol…jk Candace) Mikayla Eden has stepped up and become a good shooter on the offensive side when we need a big shot, we can usually count on her. Kayla Kutin, oh my lil lone sophomore, you are such a big part of this team. You have stepped up and became a great leader and are getting better every day. Jacey Martinez, my special child, you have come so far. You really are a great player and someone I can count on coming off the bench! :) Nickie Ortiz, you have improved so much in all aspects of the game and especially on the rebounding side of things. And lastly, Joely Haverland, you have also come so far. You have figured things out and are making some great plays on both ends of the floor.

I know this weeks article is super long, but there was a lot to say, especially after the tournament this past weekend. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and enjoys your time with family. I also hope you have safe travels. Have a great week and God Bless!